Phalaenopsis orchid plant named ‘PHALINCE’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘PHALINCE’, particularly characterized by having white flowers with greenish-yellow and white lips, flowers with a flat shape in lateral view, dorsal sepals with an incurving curvature of the longitudinal axis, long whiskers, and is propagated by meristem tissue culture, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Phalaenopsis hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘PHALINCE’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrid of theOrchidaceae family, commonly referred to as moth orchid, and hereinafterreferred to by the variety name ‘PHALINCE’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the inventor in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands. The objectiveof this breeding program was to create a new Phalaenopsis plant withattractive white flowers with greenish-yellow and white lips, suitablefor potted plant production.

The new Phalaenopsis plant ‘PHALINCE’ is a result of cross-pollinationmade by the inventor in August 2012 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, ofthe proprietary female, or seed parent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘01-4030’(unpatented) with the proprietary male, or pollen parent, Phalaenopsishybrid ‘21232-01’ (unpatented).

The new Phalaenopsis was selected by the inventor as a single plantwithin the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlledgreenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, in June 2015. Asexualreproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by meristem tissue culturesince 2016 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, has demonstrated that the newvariety reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, asherein described, firmly fixed and retained through successivegenerations.

Community Plant Variety Rights for this variety have been applied for inthe European Union on Jan. 30, 2020 (Application no. 2020/0295), byApplicant who obtained the subject matter disclosed directly from theinventor. ‘PHALINCE’ has not been made publicly available or soldanywhere in the world prior to the effective filing date of thisapplication with the exception of sales or disclosures made one year orless before the effective filing date of this claimed invention byApplicant who obtained ‘PHALINCE’ directly from the inventor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normalhorticultural practices in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, and can be usedto distinguish ‘PHALINCE’ as a new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsisplant:

-   -   1) White flowers with greenish-yellow and white lips;    -   2) Flower shape in lateral view is flat;    -   3) Curvature of longitudinal axis of dorsal sepal is incurving;        and    -   4) Whiskers are long.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Phalaenopsis plant is illustrated by the accompanyingphotographs which show the overall plant habit including blooms, buds,and foliage of the plant; the colors shown are as true as can bereasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. Thephotographs were taken in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands,from 50-week-old plants in March 2021. Colors in the photographs maydiffer from the color values cited in the detailed botanicaldescription, which accurately describe the actual colors of the newvariety.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit, including blooms, buds, andfoliage of ‘PHALINCE’.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of a flower of ‘PHALINCE’.

FIG. 3 shows an overhead view of the leaves of ‘PHALINCE’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘PHALINCE’. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have notbeen observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotypemay vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature,light intensity, and day length, without, however, any variance ingenotype. The chart used in the identification of colors describedherein is The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society,London, England, 2015 edition, except where general color terms ofordinary significance are used. The color values were determined under4000-6000 lux natural light in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, theNetherlands. Observations and measurements were made in March 2021 onflowering plants which were planted in 12-centimeter (diameter) pots.After in vitro propagation, the plants were grown in nursery trays for20-24 weeks, followed by transplantation to 12-centimeter pots and grownin a greenhouse between 27° C. to 29° C. for 30 weeks, continued by acooling period of 8 weeks between 18° C. to 20° C. and 12 weeks in agreenhouse of 21° C. Flowering occurs after 50 weeks in 12-centimeterpots.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Orchidaceae.        -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrid.        -   Common name.—Moth orchid.        -   Variety name.—‘PHALINCE’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘01-4030’ (unpatented).        -   Male parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘21232-01’ (unpatented).-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—Meristem tissue culture.-   Roots:    -   -   Root description.—Greyed-green (a color in between RHS 190B            and RHS 190C) colored roots with branching lateral roots            having yellow-green (RHS 144C) with a touch of purplish-red            (RHS N77B) colored root tips.-   Plant:    -   -   Crop time to flowering.—Following asexual propagation (in            vitro), the rooted cuttings grow for 20-24 weeks. After            transplantation into 12-cm pots, the plants are finished            after 48 to 50 weeks.        -   Growth habit of the peduncle.—Upright to slightly pendent            with panicle inflorescence.        -   Height (from soil level to top of            inflorescence).—Approximately 55.0 cm to 60.0 cm.        -   Width (measured from leaf tips).—About 36.0 cm to 38.0 cm.        -   Vigor.—Strong.-   Leaves:    -   -   Mature leaves.—Quantity per plant: 8 to 10 leaves are            produced before flowering. Length (fully expanded): 18.0 cm            to 20.0 cm. Width: 7.0 cm to 8.0 cm. Position of the            broadest part of the leaf: Toward the tip. Shape: Obovate.            Base shape: Moderately elongated. Apex: Obtuse asymmetric.            Leaf blade angle with the petiole (measured from the            horizontal position): Between 10 degrees and 30 degrees.            Leaf margin: Entire. Color: Upper surface: RHS 146A. Lower            surface: RHS 146B. Texture (both upper and lower surfaces):            Smooth. Thickness: 2.6 mm to 2.8 mm. Variegation: Absent.            Venation: Pattern: Parallel. Color of the midvein: Upper            surface: RHS 146A. Lower surface: RHS 146B.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—1 to 3.        -   Number of flowers per peduncle.—12 to 16.        -   Length.—55.0 cm to 60.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—6.0 mm to 7.0 mm.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Aspect.—Upright to slightly pendent.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Mix of green (RHS 146B) and brown (RHS 200A).        -   Internode length.—2.5 cm to 3.5 cm.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendent, panicle            inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open            in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.        -   Number of inflorescences.—1 to 3.        -   Inflorescence size.—Height (from base to tip): 220.0 mm to            270.0 mm.        -   Flowering time.—First flowers can be expected 10 to 11            months after planting in a 12-cm pot.        -   Flower.—Height: 78.0 mm to 83.0 mm. Diameter: 90.0 mm to            95.0 mm. Depth of lip: 24.0 mm to 26.0 mm.        -   Flower longevity.—On the plant: 11 to 13 weeks.        -   Flower shape.—Flat.        -   Fragrance.—Absent.        -   Flower bud.—Average size: Large. Length: 25.0 mm to 27.0 mm.            Width: 21.0 mm to 23.0 mm. Shape: Egg shaped. Color: Light            yellow-green (a color in between RHS 145B and RHS 145C) with            a touch of diluting purplish-red (RHS N77B) toward the tip.        -   Petals.—Arrangement: Open/free. Shape: Semi-circular. Apex:            Emarginated asymmetric. Margin: Weakly undulated. Length            (from base to tip): 39.0 mm to 41.0 mm. Width: 52.0 mm to            54.0 mm. Position of the broadest part of the petal: Toward            the base. Color (when fully opened): Upper surface: Basic            color: White (RHS NN155C). Over color: Absent. Lower            surface: Basic color: White (RHS NN155C). Over color: Touch            of light yellow-green (RHS 145D) and very light purple            midvein (RHS 76B). Number of spots and stripes on the petals            (upper surface): None. Color of spots and stripes on the            petals (upper surface): Not applicable. Density of netting            of the petals (upper surface): None. Color of the netting            (upper surface): Not applicable.        -   Dorsal sepal.—Shape: Elliptic. Apex: Emarginated symmetric.            Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 45.0 mm to            47.0 mm. Width: 29.0 mm to 31.0 mm. Position of the broadest            part of the dorsal sepals: At the middle. Color (when fully            opened): Upper surface: Basic color: White (RHS NN155C).            Over color: Absent. Lower surface: Basic color: White (RHS            NN155C). Over color: Touch of very light purple (RHS 76B)            and light yellow-green (RHS 145D). Number of spots and            stripes on the dorsal sepals (upper surface): None. Color of            spots and stripes on the dorsal sepals (upper surface): Not            applicable. Density of netting of the dorsal sepals (upper            surface): None. Color of the netting: Not applicable.        -   Lateral sepals.—Shape: Ovate. Apex: Obtuse asymmetric.            Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 45.0 mm to            47.0 mm. Width: 26.0 mm to 28.0 mm. Position of the broadest            part of the lateral sepals: Toward the base. Color (when            fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color: White (RHS            NN155C). Over color: Touch of light yellow-green (RHS 145C)            and dotted (RHS 72A) at the base. Lower surface: Basic            color: White (RHS NN155C). Over color: Light yellow-green            (RHS 145C). Number of spots, dots, and stripes on the            lateral sepals (upper surface): Few to medium small dots.            Color of spots, dots, and stripes on the lateral sepals            (upper surface): RHS 72A. Density of netting of the lateral            sepals (upper surface): None. Color of the netting (upper            surface): Not applicable.        -   Labellum (lip).—Whiskers: Present. Length of whiskers: 18.0            mm to 20.0 mm. Color of whiskers: White (RHS NN155C) with            light yellow-green tips (RHS 2C). Pubescence on the lip:            Absent.        -   Lateral lobe.—Shape: Type V (as described in the            International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of            Plants (UPOV) Test Guidelines for Phalaenopsis); spatulate.            Margin: Undulated (widely wavy). Length: 19.0 mm to 22.0 mm.            Width: 15.0 mm to 17.0 mm. Color: Upper surface:            Purplish-red stripes (RHS 71A) at the base; greenish-yellow            (RHS 151C) on one side toward margin; white (RHS NN155C)            toward the other margin and tip. Lower surface:            Greenish-yellow (RHS 151C) and white (RHS NN155C) toward the            other margin and tip. Number of spots and stripes on the            lateral lobe: Few stripes. Color of spots and stripes on the            lateral lobe: RHS 71A. Density of netting of the lateral            lobe: None. Color of the netting: Not applicable.        -   Apical lobe.—Shape: Triangular. Margin: Entire. Length: 24.0            mm to 26.0 mm. Width: 22.0 mm to 24.0 mm. Color: Upper            surface: Red margin (RHS 176A) and greenish-yellow (RHS            151C) at the base and at wings; white (RHS NN155C) toward            whiskers; greenish-yellow midvein (RHS 4A). Lower surface:            Red margin (RHS 176A) and greenish-yellow (RHS 151D) at the            base and at wings; white (RHS NN155C) toward whiskers.            Number of spots and stripes on the apical lobe: None. Color            of spots and stripes on the apical lobe: Not applicable.            Density of netting of the apical lobe: None. Color of the            netting: Not applicable.        -   Callus.—Average size: Large. Height: 8.0 mm to 9.0 mm.            Length: 6.0 mm to 7.0 mm. Width: 4.0 mm to 5.0 mm. Color:            Light greenish-yellow (RHS 4B) on sides; yellow tips (RHS            13A); spotted (RHS 175A).-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Column.—Length: 7.0 mm to 9.0 mm. Diameter: 6.0 mm to            7.0 mm. Color: White (RHS NN155C).        -   Pollinia.—Quantity: 2. Diameter: 0.8 mm to 1.0 mm. Color:            Orange (RHS 25A).        -   Ovary.—Length: 9.0 mm to 11.0 mm. Diameter: 2.1 mm to 2.5            mm.        -   Pedicel.—Length: 29.0 mm to 31.0 mm. Diameter: 2.6 mm to            2.9 mm. Color: Hint of brown (RHS N199A) at the base; light            yellow-green (RHS 145B); light yellow-green (RHS 145C) and            touch of very light purple (RHS 76B) toward the flower.            Texture: Smooth.-   Disease, pest, and stress resistance: No specific resistance or    susceptibility observed to pathogens and pests common to    Phalaenopsis to date.-   Fruit and seeds: Fruit and seed development has not been observed on    plants of the new Phalaenopsis to date.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND MOST SIMILAR VARIETIES

The female parent plant of ‘PHALINCE’, cultivar ‘01-4030’ (unpatented),is no longer in existence, therefore a meaningful comparison cannot bemade.

‘PHALINCE’ differs from the male parent plant ‘21232-01’ (unpatented) inthat ‘PHALINCE’ has medium curvature of the lateral lobe and moderatelyelongated leaf bases, whereas ‘21232-01’ has weak curvature of thelateral lobe and moderately to very elongated leaf bases.

‘PHALINCE’ is most similar to the commercial Phalaenopsis plants named‘PHALFOWIC’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 29,245) and ‘PHALFUBNE’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 30,395). ‘PHALINCE’ differs from the commercial variety‘PHALFOWIC’ in that ‘PHALINCE’ has emarginated dorsal sepal apexes,whereas ‘PHALFOWIC’ has obtuse dorsal sepal apexes. Additionally,‘PHALINCE’ has shorter whiskers than ‘PHALFOWIC’.

‘PHALINCE’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALFUBNE’ in that‘PHALINCE’ has obtuse leaf apexes and emarginated dorsal sepal apexes,whereas ‘PHALFUBNE’ has rounded leaf apexes and obtuse dorsal sepalapexes. Additionally, ‘PHALINCE’ has smaller flowers and shorterwhiskers than ‘PHALFUBNE’.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named‘PHALINCE’, substantially as described and illustrated herein.